STAND. COM. REP. NO. 718

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 1359

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1359 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FLOOD MITIGATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to address flooding in residential areas by establishing a grant program to improve drainage systems, support mitigation measures, and provide resources for local communities and homeowners.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that assisting homeowners with the cost of maintaining drainageways on their private lands will reduce the likelihood of devastating flood damage to homes and communities after severe weather events.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1359, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1359, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair